This attractive plant is easy to grow as a pot plant, on a tree or on an epi-log. Keep in a warm, moist atmosphere, and use a half strength liquid feed occasionally. Propagation is usually by division in spring, and summer. Although attractive, it is grown mainly as a collector’s item rather than a plant of great beauty.
These plants belong to east Africa, and are native to Somalia. They grow in semi-arid areas, which monsoon winds dominate. These winds bring a rainy season from March to May. Later, they get a dry season from September to December. The average annual rainfall is only 279 millimetres (11-inches).
This genus originates in South African.
Moreover, these plants will grow outdoors in a mild, frost-free environment, indoors as a house-plant or in a heated greenhouse or conservatory if room can be provided. Again, a shaded or partly shaded position is advisable, and use a well drained, open potting mixture. Moreover, it should be kept fairly dry in winter, and increase watering as the weather warms up in spring, and summer. This species is surface rooted, and is slow to recover from root disturbance. Propagation is by division of the rhizomes after flowering.
In its natural home of South Africa, it grows as a forest epiphyte or a terrestrial. This is a mild, temperate climate that is under the influence of the easterly trade winds which blow from over the Indian Ocean. As a result, the annual precipitation is about 890-millimetres (35-inches).
A large family of mostly shade loving plants. Many species are used as house plants. They include ground covers, climbers, and occasionally very large, ornamental garden plants. Although most are grown for their foliage, some have spectacular flowers such as the Anthurium species listed below. The family can be recognised by their floral parts, which have a spathe, (a single, large, and frequently a colourful bract) protecting a spadix, (A floral spike). Perianth inconspicuous or absent. People sometimes give it the common name of a lily, which is malapropos as lilies come from the family Liliaceae that has a parallel vein structure in the leaves. All members of the Araceae family have a net vein system in their leaves. In this book, the ones listed are true epiphytes in their natural habitat.
The species below, should always be kept moist, and in good light. If planted into a pot, the potting mixture should be very open. These plants need shade, but good light enhances their colour.
They are grown for their foliage, and the exotic looking flowers, as they last for weeks when cut. A moist, and shady atmosphere is preferred by this genus. They thrive in such porous potting mixes as coarse sand, sphagnum moss, peat moss, fibre, and charcoal. In spring, and summer we can keep this potting mixture moist, and a little drier as the weather cools. Also, we can use a dilute liquid fertiliser in the spring to promote good growth. Growing on epi-logs, and in baskets, eventually, most Anthuriums become large, tall, and bushy, usually forming a high, canopy-like layer. These can look very attractive with plants that flow over the side of the container, and hang down below the Anthurium.
These plants grow on trees in areas of lowland, and montane tropical rainforests. Moreover, they straddle the equator from Central America to the southwest of Colombia.
In cool areas, we can grow this plant better as a greenhouse plant, since it must have warmth, not less than 15o Celsius (59o Fahrenheit) in winter. Preferably keep the temperature above 21o Celsius (70o Fahrenheit) for the best growth. Grow in very porous compost, and water regularly. Also, spray the leaves often as it needs constant high humidity. A shady position would be appreciated by this species.
They are found growing on tree branches in rainforests, exposed to almost continuous rains, and mists. These montane dwellers grow from 1,000 to 1,800-metres (3,300 to 5,900-feet) above sea level, in southwest Colombia.
Variety album is a colour variant derived from the species above. The inflorescence having a very attractive, heart shaped, white spathe that is waxy, and quilted. The spadix is also white at the base moving to a purplish-rose centre area, then to a yellow tip.
Variety rhodochlorum is a more vigorous variety with a giant, heart shaped spathe that is salmon red, and 20-centimetres (8-inches) long.
This species of plant grows in the montane rainforests of Venezuela, and Brazil. In its natural habitat it is always found growing as an epiphyte.
In a private collection this plant can be grown as a beautiful foliage plant if the centre is kept clean. It must have a warm, and constantly moist atmosphere to encourage flowering. Plenty of leaf mould in the potting mixture will help to keep it moist, and open.
This epiphyte grows in the tropical rainforests of the Americas.
Because of its natural climate, we can water this plant well during the growing period but allow it to dry out before the next soaking. Watering should be reduced as the cool weather sets in, give only occasionally in winter. Although it is tolerant of more cold than other species, it must be protected from frost.
This epiphyte grows in the shady, lower levels of rainforest trees. They are native to an area from Guatemala to Costa Rica. In this area, were the climate is mostly equable, the days are warm and the nights cool, and the rainy season usually occurs between May and October.
As the natural habitat of this genus is in the South American rainforests, these tropical foliage plants enjoy a warm, moist atmosphere with light shade throughout the year. They are frost tender. Therefor, they need a heated greenhouse in cold climates. If we grow this genus in plant pots, the potting mixture must be well-drained. Good drainage allows plenty of fresh air to move around the roots. When planted in a hanging container, some types of Philodendron will cascade over the side, forming the lowest canopy of the hanging container. Others in this group form the centre area in the display as they are short, stocky, and more upright. Still other types have the habit of climbing, and will climb up the supporting chains. So, the choice of plant will influence the position it will be given.
Flask Philodendrons grow on trees in tropical rainforests. In fact, they are endemic to Brazil, and Guyana. This region has an annual rainfall of about 152-millimetres (60-inches) occuring mostly from April to September.
Syn. Philodendron rudgeanum.
Growing on trees in tropical rainforests, this rare species looks beautiful. It is indigenous to the tropical areas of eastern Venezuela, and Guyana. The annual rainfall in this area is about 1525 to 2030-millimetres, mostly from April to August.
This is a frost, and drought tender species. We should give this climbing epiphyte a heated, moist greenhouse if we live in a cold climate.
They can be found growing on trees in tropical rainforests. It has been discovered growing in northern Brazil, and Guyana., sharing the same climate as Philodendron cannaefolium.
Being drought, and frost sensitive, it should be grown in a heated greenhouse when grown in a cold climate. Alternatively, we can grow it indoors if we provide adequate light.
Plants of this species are indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Colombia. In fact, it grows as an epiphyte where it can receive good light. The average annual temperature ranges from 23.9° to 26.7°Celsius (75° to 80° Fahrenheit), depending on the height above sea-level. Also, throughout the year 3-month periods of rain and dry weather alternate.
For superior growth, provide a moist, warm position in light shade. Preferably, grow this species in a well-drained soil that has plenty of humus.
Often, this plant is found high up in trees, it can be seen growing in dappled sunlight. Also, its natural home is from Nicaragua to Panama. In this area, the average annual temperatures are 31.7° Celsius (89° Fahrenheit). The Birds Nest Philodendron enjoys a rainy season that lasts from April or May to December. Moreover, the yearly average precipitation is over 2540-millimetres (100-inches)
Found growing in the tropical Amazon rainforests, north of Manaus, Brazil. This area is always hot, with an average between 26.7° and 32.2° Celsius (80° to 90° Fahrenheit), with little seasonal variation. Precipitation is heavy, averaging about 2030-millimetres (80-inches).
Back to Genera
Plants of the genus Pothos are invariably climbers. So, they need something in their container to climb on. Usually they are fast growing, and can overtake most plants with which they share a container. Planting them on their own is usually the safest way. When they climb to the top of the basket chain, unwind it, and let it hang below the container. These plants soon climb back up to the top, forming a very dense, and large plant.
Being tropical, this shade loving, drought, and frost tender plant needs a heated greenhouse when grown in a cold climate. If grown in a container the soil should be well-drained, and kept just moist. Although attractive, the fruit is poisonous unless treated. Australian Aboriginals cook them in the ashes of their fire. This makes them good to eat but if we do not cook them we will become ill.
Queensland, Australia is the home of this plant. Pothos can often be found covering entire tree trunks in the rainforests. In this area, There is only two seasons: a hot, wet season with rains falling in the summer months of February and March, and a warm, dryer season for the rest of the year. The average annual rainfall exceeds 2540-millimetres (100-inches).
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